SEEKING NOMINATIONS
Following the great success and popularity of the Leicestershire Women of Achievement Awards earlier this year plans are already underway for the 2007 event. The success of women in our society has often gone unrecognised and these awards were originally created to capture the achievements of women from all walks of life throughout Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, who are organising the 2007 Women of Achievement Awards, are encouraging local businesses to get involved and support the awards by nominating family, friends or colleagues as appropriate for one or more of the following award categories:
- Business Woman of the Year
- Woman in the Community
- Woman of the Year
- Young Achiever of the Year
- Rural Business Woman of the Year
- Woman with Determination
For more details contact Headstorm Marketing on Tel: 0870 170 9697 or email:woaawards@headstorm.co.uk
HOW TO SWITCH ON TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY
With energy bills having doubled over the past twelve months, there is both a powerful financial and environmental need to switch on to energy efficiency and drive down those harmful carbon emissions.
UK work places generate over 66 million tonnes of carbon emissions each year from the energy and resources they consume, yet there is plenty employees and employers can do.
Getting started on reducing your energy consumption can cost you nothing and here's six simple steps you could take to reduce your overall energy costs:
· Government research shows that up to 20% of business energy is wasted. Companies spending in excess of £50,000 per year will qualify for a free energy efficiency survey from the Carbon Trust.
· Lighting in a typical office costs about £3 per square metre annually. Energy efficiency could help you cut your annual lighting bills by two thirds. Energy efficient lighting solutions combined with timers, sensors and controls can help you make dramatic bottom line savings.
· Heating costs rise by about 8% for each degree Celsius of overheating. Check thermostat settings regularly. The recommended heating level for shops, restaurants and offices is 19 degrees Celsius.
· Measure how much energy you're using so that you can see what impact any energy saving measures have on your business. 'Smart metering’- the modern monitoring technology - is now highly affordable to all sizes of business, giving you instant access to quality, timely data which will give you a full picture of your energy consumption.
· Switch off equipment when it's not in use. According to the Carbon Trust an average office wastes £6,000 each year by leaving equipment on over weekends and bank holidays. Just getting your employees to turn off their monitors when they go home can make a big difference.
· Make the most of natural light. It's free and it won' damage the environment. So keep your windows clear and maximise the daylight.
The Government states that businesses which implement energy efficiency improvements are typically cutting their emissions – and therefore cutting their bills – by one fifth.
The Chamber Utilities™ service can offer organisations all the help they need to become more energy efficient through smart metering monitoring solutions and Carbon Trust services. For further details contact Chamber Utilities™ on Tel: 0845 120 2423, www.utilityauditing.co.uk
MINIMUM WAGE RISES WILL PUSH BUSINESSES TO TIPPING POINT
Commenting on the recent rise in the National Minimum Wage, David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: "Businesses cannot continue to absorb minimum wage rises that are in excess of average earnings growth in the UK. What we do not want to see, are wage pressures becoming the tipping point over which firms have to reduce staffing, cut back on investment and be unable to grow. Future rises may have to be no more than the increase in average earnings to correct some of the adverse effects of recent increases."
"There are risks of adverse effects in some areas where pay is relatively low. We are concerned that small businesses may find it difficult to cope with the new rates. But we are pleased that the Low Pay Commission will start future wage decisions with no presumption that further increases above average earnings are required."
Details of the national minimum wage are:
- £5.35 for those aged 22 and above
- £4.45 for those aged 18-21
- £3.30 for those between 16-18
QDOS CONSULTING: KEEPING YOU UP TO DATE
Membership of the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce entitles you to access the website and helplines of QDOS Consulting where you can get accurate, up to date information on all employment law and legislation matters – completely free of charge.
For more information visitwww.chamberhr.co.uk
USE CAUTION IN ROLE EMAIL PLAYS IN CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
Regional law firm Freeth Cartwright is urging businesses to be careful when using email for contractual negotiations. For the first reported time, the High Court has confirmed that an email could potentially stand as a signed written document.
The case concerned, Metha V Pereira Fernandes, is one of the first decisions in the UKto investigate the status of emails and electronic signatures. It held that an automatically inserted email address alone did not qualify as a signature itself, however the judge stated that rulings in future could very well be different.
According to partner Philippa Dempster, an expert in contract law at Freeth Cartwright, local organisations must treat an email like a conventional written document especially if they are in contract negotiations and want to avoid any uncertainty about whether or not it could be a valid contract.
Philippa explains: "It may sound like common sense but this case serves as a reminder to all of us that electronic communications such as email and web transactions are the same as written documents. The case may have referenced a seventeenth century statute to come to this decision but it certainly has twenty-first century connotations. In this case, although the judge upheld that the sender's automatically inserted address was not enough to amount to a signature, he said that in the future if a name is typed into the bottom of an email, it could amount to a signature.
"It may not stop there, it may also apply to those automatic signatures and when one starts considering that a number of people have automatic signatures at the bottom of their emails, this may well count as your written assurance even if you haven't typed your name.
"The principles of contract formation, e.g. offer, acceptance, consideration and intention, apply just as much to electronic communication as they do to writing on paper. In summary, if you do not want to be bound legally by what you are putting in an email think very clearly before pressing that 'send' button."
Integra Presentation with Rustie Lee sponsored by Business Link Leicestershire
Date:18th October 2006
Venue: Poachers Bistro, Church Street, Thurlaston, Leicester
Time: 12:00 - 14:00
Cost: £29.50 Chamber Members, includes a three course meal
Join us for lunch at the Poacher's Bistro and listen to Rustie's story about her magical career moments and life experiences. Rustie made her name and reputation as Britain's number one authority on Caribbean cooking during her eight years on TV AM. Now a producer and presenter of her own TV cookery programmes and BBC radio shows, Rustie has starred in several hit musicals including South Pacific, Smokey Joe's Café and Ain't Misbehavin. Known for her gregarious laugh, fun loving personality and being a great entertainer, this is a lunchtime opportunity not to be missed.
Export Foundation Course
Date: 25 October 2006
Venue: Charnwood Court, 5b New Walk, Leicester
Time: 09:00 - 17:00
Cost: £160 + VAT Chamber Members /£200 + VAT Standard
Designed to give a clear insight into the export process through an overview of export documentation, practices and procedures.
Networking with Stephenson College
Date:25 October 2006
Venue: Stephenson College, Coalville, Leicestershire
Time: 18:00 - 20:30
Cost:
Place only, no display stand (inc. VAT) £25 Chamber Members / £35 Standard
Place & Space for display stand (inc. VAT) £55 Chamber Members /£65 Standard
Hosted by Stephenson College this event gives attendees an opportunity to reserve space for an exhibition stand, network and exchange company literature with fellow guests over a glass of wine.
Succession Planning Seminar - Which is the Right Option for You?
In Conjunction with PKF Accountants & Business Advisors
Date:31st October 2006
Venue: The Space Centre, Exploration Drive, Leicester
Time: 07.30 - 09.00
Cost: £25.00 Chamber Members /£35.00 Standard. Includes breakfast.
This seminar is for owner-managed businesses and will be advising on the practical issues faced by owner managers when preparing a succession plan. The keynote speakers are Paul Thompson, Corporate Finance Partner and Ed Saunders, Director of Corporate Tax.
Export Documentation Course
Date: 1st November 2006
Venue: Charnwood Court, 5b New Walk, Leicester
Time: 09:00 - 16:00
Cost: £160.00 + VAT Chamber Members /£200.00 + VAT Standard.
This course is a natural follow up to the Export Foundation Course and covers the preparation and distribution of documents from the quotation stage through to payment and puts the theory into practice.
Export Letter of Credit Course
Date: 8th November 2006
Venue: Charnwood Court, 5b New Walk, Leicester
Time: 09:00 - 17:00
Cost: £160 + VAT Chamber Members /£200 + VAT Standard
This course is intended for delegates who already have a working knowledge of export documentation, practices and procedures and is aimed at accounts, export sales and export shipping departments involved in processing letters of credit.
Regeneration Update Seminar
Date: 9th November 2006
Venue: Leicester Tigers Ground, Aylestone Road, Leicester
Time: 07:30 - 09:30
Cost: £25.00 Chamber Members /£35.00 Standard. Includes full English breakfast.
Work has started on site in four of the five major projects in the Leicester Regeneration Company (LRC) masterplan, with work now happening on ten schemes. John Nicholls Chief Executive of the LRC will bring us up to date on these projects and also look ahead to the next steps.
Import Foundation Workshop
Date: 15th November 2006
Venue: Charnwood Court, 5b New Walk, Leicester
Time: 09:00 - 17:00
Cost: £160 + VAT Chamber Members /£200 + VAT Standard
This seminar is aimed at individuals with no previous import experience and sets out to give a clear overview of the procedures and documentation involved in importing goods into the EU from non-EU countries.
I Could Murder A Pint - Murder Mystery Networking Event
Date: 17th November 2006
Venue: The Regency Hotel, 360 London Road, Leicester
Time: 19:00 - 22:00
Cost: £32.00 includes four-course meal
Make this part of your Christmas festivities. Meet, mix and mingle with the hilarious characters on arrival and then witness the murder - it could happen anywhere in the room! Take in new scenes at your table as you network and try to solve the mystery.
Breakfast Splash Networking Event
Date: 21st November 2006
Venue: Westfield House Hotel, Enderby Road, Blaby
Time: 07:15 - 09:00
Cost: £25.00 Chamber Members /£35.00 Standard. Includes swim and full English breakfast.
Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce presents the first in a series of breakfast splash networking events, designed to help keep you fit and active by offering the chance of an optional swim in the Life Styles Leisure Club before registration.This event aims to bring together the business community to enjoy networking opportunities over breakfast in the comfortable surroundings of the Westfield House Hotel (formerly the Time Out Hotel, Blaby).
Chamber Annual Luncheon
Date: 1st December 2006
Venue: The Walkers Stadium, Filbert Way, Leicester
Time: 11:30 - 16:00
Cost: £49.50 Chamber Members (Table of ten £470) /£54.50 Standard (Table of ten £520)
The comedian Roy Walker will be the guest speaker at this year's annual luncheon event which will once again be sponsored by The Royal Bank of Scotland, Charles Street Buildings (Leicester) Ltd and Freeth Cartwright LLP.
For more information or to book on to any of these events call Kam Atker on Tel: 0116 204 6614 or visitwww.chamberofcommerce.co.ukand click on what’s on/events.
NEW BUSINESS NEW LIFE IS BACK!
The New Business New Life campaign, designed to give people in the East Midlands all the information and assistance they need to start their own business, has been launched for 2006 and is being promoted through Starter Packs which contain valuable information for new businesses and entrepreneurs.
As part of the campaign a series of free roadshow events will take place throughout October and November to raise entrepreneurial awareness and promote the idea that starting a new business is a realistic and exciting option for many individuals.
John O'Reilly, Business Support Director foremda, said: "New Business New Life is an excellent vehicle to promote the business start-up agenda. The new Regional Economic Strategy, co-coordinated byemda and published in July 2006, suggests that more responsive business support is needed. This is why we are committed to continuing and evolving the New Business New Life campaign so if you are thinking of starting your own business, I would urge you register for your starter pack and book your place at one of the road show events now."
John Musumeci, who attended a previous New Business New Life event, set up his same-day delivery service, city2city, 12 months ago in Sileby, near Loughborough. With years of experience working in the courier industry he knew that he needed to get all his systems in place: "I took advantage of all the free courses that were available and I continue to get advice when I need it. You have to be persistent when you run your own business, in every aspect."
The Leicestershire New Business New Life roadshow is scheduled for Monday 23rd October from 12 Noon to 8pm at Leicester City Football Club Walkers Stadium, Leicester.
If you are interested in receiving a starter pack or want more information on the New Business New Life campaign call 0845 155 0144 or visit www.newbusiness-newlife.com.
SHORT COURSE OFFERS A HEAD START IN BUSINESS
Entrepreneurs can learn about starting their own businesses on a two-day intensive course this autumn. The "Starting in Business" course, run by De Montfort University (DMU) and Business Link Leicestershire, will cover topics such as business planning, finance, marketing and legal issue.
Janette Pallas, Business Incubation and Enterprise Manager at DMU, said: "This course is invaluable for anyone thinking of starting a business. In two intensive days it covers all the issues that candidates need to consider. Experienced advisers will help with the development of the business idea, consider the market for the product or service and start the financial forecasting for the business."
The first course takes place on 25 and 26 October at DMU's Innovation Centre in Oxford Street, Leicester and costs £32 per delegate. It will be repeated on 8 and 9 November and on 22 and 23 November.
To book or find out more call 0116 257 7377 or see www.dmu.ac.uk/startabusiness
A MINUTE FOR YOUR THOUGHTS
Ban Bullying At Work, the UK charity dedicated to changing workplace bullying, has launched an initiative to raise awareness with Britain's 28.94 million workforce.
Now in its third year, Ban Bullying At Work Day expects over 1 million people to take part in the minute of reflection to be held at 10 am on 7th November 2006.
Lyn Witheridge, founder of Ban Bullying At Work, said: "Our main aim is to encourage people to take responsibility for the management of themselves, in their roles and in relation to others. One in four adults has been bullied within the last 5 years. Bullying is the leading cause of stress related illness and the number one employee complaint. We want both employers and employees to take part, reflect and recognise how their own behavior could have a negative impact on their colleagues and working environment."
Workplace bullying can be defined as the expression of aggression without physical violence – a form of psychological intimidation that makes its impact through persistent behaviors. There are many misconceptions about workplace bullying, a common one being that those individuals usually targeted are weak, ineffectual, poor workers. The opposite is true and it is often the strong, confident and competent people who are targeted.
Workplace bullying affects people in different ways. The most commonly cited effects are fears about going to work and a lowering of self-esteem and self-confidence. It also has a serious impact on performance - 60% of respondents say that it has affected the quality of their work and 51% say that it has caused them to take time off.
A pack is available from www.banbullyingatwork.com giving details on how best to participate.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY
Chamber member Maz photography is holding a fairy and elf experience at its Leicester studio (complete with the transforming of the studio into a fairy cavern) between 16th Oct and 20th Oct. Parents who go along will be able to receive fairy and elf photographs of their children just in time for Christmas - what's more it's free.
For more details email Maz Mashru at: maz@mazmashru.co.uk
SEE YOU OUTSIDE COURT
Leicester County Court is holding a series of events in support of National Mediation Week, a national campaign to resolve more disputes out of court. Running from 9 - 13 October, National Mediation Week promotes mediation as a more flexible, speedy and cost effective dispute resolution process than court.
In addition to a less hostile environment in which parties can discuss their issues, mediation also allows for more flexible outcomes than are available to a judge – for example donations to charity, an apology, or a mutually agreed settlement. Mediation is also a speedier process than a full court hearing. Most mediation-resolved civil disputes, such as small claims, take around five weeks from the claim being lodged, whereas to take a claim to a full court hearing takes an average of 13 weeks for the smallest claim and far longer for complex matters.
Events taking place during National Mediation Week include: mediators available at Leicester County Court on Thursday 12th October 2006, who can advise on Family and Commercial Mediation and a presentation at the Court User Meeting (which starts at 2:30 pm) on the practicalities of Commercial Mediation. On Friday 13th October 2006 a mediator specialising in Commercial Mediation will be available at Leicester County Court to answer any questions you may have.
Launching the campaign, Minister for Civil Justice, Cathy Ashton, said: "Mediation can be summed up as helping people to have difficult conversations. It is increasingly having a positive bearing on people’s lives in resolving a whole range of disputes – from unsociable neighbours to unscrupulous landlords, from individual small claims to large scale commercial disputes, from divisions of property after relationship break-ups to sensitive decisions on childcare.
"Often taking cases through court can be intimidating, time consuming and stressful – not to mention costly. Mediation provides an alternative that allows parties to discuss the issues in a less formal environment, to "patch-up" differences and most importantly to agree a settlement, rather than to impose one. This can be particularly beneficial where there is a continuing relationship following dispute resolution – such as in family or employment-related cases."
Locally based mediator and Chamber member Jeffrey Rosenthal, a member of the mediation panels of The Association of Midlands Mediators and Talk Mediation, says that: “"In my experience of dispute resolution, mediation provides the best opportunity for the parties to find an acceptable outcome to a dispute in the shortest time and with a minimum of cost."
Mediation can be used to resolve a whole raft of disputes including housing issues, business disputes, small claims, debt claims, boundary disputes, employment disputes, contractual disputes, personal injury and negligence claims as well as community disputes such as nuisance or harassment issues and family mediation to sort out finances, property issues and childcare arrangements in the event of family or relationship breakdown.
Anyone can find out about mediation from the National Mediation help line on 0845 60 30 809 / www.nationalmediationhelpline.com or the Family Mediation help line 0845 60 27 627 / www.familymediationhelpline.co.uk .
Further information on National Mediation Week is available at http://hmcourts-service.gov.uk/mediationweek
EAST MIDLANDS PASSPORT TO EXPORT AWARDS DINNER 2006
Hosted by Benedict Allen the spectacular East Midlands International Business Awards evening is to be held on Thursday 30th November 2006 at the Marriott Hotel, Leicester.
The awards will recognise those companies in the East Midlands who have embraced the Passport to Export programme and also this year the evening will join together with the East Midlands International Business Communication Awards which celebrate the rich diversity of culture and communication around the world.
For more information and ticket reservations please contact MYB Events on Tel: 01332 548114 / www.international-awards.org.uk
THE LOCATION DECISION: A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO CHOOSING WHERE TO LOCATE YOUR CHINA OPERATION
The purpose of this workshop, to be held on 22nd November, is to highlight important selection criteria in China, explore relevant trends in labour and other costs and to minimise location regrets. For further details please contact Linda Rosen on Tel: 0113 247 1584 or email: linda.rosen@cbbc.org
SPEAKING THE RIGHT LANGUAGE
The 26th September 2006 was European Day of Languages and it seems that the UK is determined to remain a monolingual island race when it comes to embracing European business opportunities. According to a new YouGov survey of 2500 UK employees commissioned by Rosetta Stone, 80% of people have never been offered the opportunity to learn a second language at work, despite EU expansion and tougher competition from European businesses.
This reluctance to offer language training perhaps explains why the UK was recently ranked bottom of the league table of 28 countries for language ability by CILT, the national languages centre and why, according to the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC), 20% of UK businesses have lost business opportunities because of their failure to embrace new language skills.
The YouGov survey also revealed that the majority of business executives are apathetic and not at all phased by their dismal language skills. Just 7% of respondents considered language skills the most important factor to consider if their company relocated overseas, with factors such as political instability (23%) and the country's infrastructure (11%) scoring more highly. In line with the BCC research, several respondents also cited lost business opportunities caused by language barriers.
Surprisingly, despite factors such as a boom in trade with Russia (exports to Russia in 2005 reached an all-time high of £1.8bn according to UK Trade and Investment) and the EU accession of major Eastern European countries such as Poland in 2004, respondents do not equate learning Russian or Polish with economic success. Only 2% of executives questioned felt that it was important to learn these languages. Instead French and German were considered the most relevant languages to business success each securing a fifth of the votes.
In terms of ease of learning, Russian was considered the most difficult language to learn by 37% of respondents, compared to French and German, which received just 1% of the vote.
EAST MIDLANDS SIGN FLAGSHIP AGREEMENT WITH ROMANIAN COUNTIES
Councillor David Parsons, Chair of the East Midlands Regional Assembly and Leader of Leicestershire County Council; David Wallace, International Director of the East Midlands Development Agency and representatives from UK Trade and Investment, have participated in a flagship visit over to Prahova County in Romania. The trip co-ordinated by the East Midlands European Office (EMEO) had a dual role to build public sector relationships and share best practice between regional/local/central government partners and to build bridges for business and explore potential trade opportunities for the East Midlands.
The two-day visit served to identify joint opportunities between Romania and East Midlands in the areas of European Union Funding, Planning and Economic Development. The visit culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the East Midlands Region by Councillor Parsons and David Wallace. Speaking following the signing David Parsons said: "We are delighted to sign this Memorandum of Understanding between the East Midlands and National Union of Romanian County Councils. This agreement will build on our co-operation with Romania through the accession process and provide a strong foundation for the exchange of good practice in the future."
The two-day co-operation visit was supported by the British Embassy in Bucharest who participated in the official programme and was witnessed by His Excellency Robin Burnett, the Ambassador, who commented: "We welcome this initiative that the East Midlands have developed with the Romanian counties and we will endeavour to support these activities. As the first UK region to do this with the counties we wholeheartedly support this pioneering work".
Speaking after addressing delegates at the afternoon session from the Romanian Counties, South Muntenia Development Agency and National Ministries, David Wallace said: "This is an important first step in our partnership with the county councils. We can learn a great deal from each other and help each other achieve our economic goals."
It is intended that where appropriate and agreed, co-operation will take place between individuals or delegations from Romania and the East Midlands to understand more about the opportunities that might exist in the areas of European Union Funding, Planning and Economic Development. This will allow a forum to share information on common strategic priorities at the county, regional, national and EU level. It will also identify and support economic links and business opportunities between the counties and regions within the context of the EM Regional Economic Strategy 2006-2020.
UKTI EVENT CALENDAR
Building Business Partnerships Overseas
October 25th 2006
There are number of ways to achieve success overseas without direct sales. Joint ventures, manufacturing under licence, acquisition, franchising, setting up an overseas branch or company, to name but a few. This free event in Leicester will explain the pros and cons of each approach and show how UK Trade and Investment specialist support can help remove the barriers to developing strategic partnerships overseas. For further information contact John Wilson on Tel: 01332 548123 or email:john.wilson.ukti@derbyshire.org
Trade Mission to China
November 4th-11th2006
UK Trade & Investment and Leicester Shire China Trade Bureau are organising a market visit to Sichuan /Chongqing between November 4th -11th 2006.There is a travel grant for eligible companies and the visit will also include the EU-China Partnerariat event to take place in Chengdu, capital city of Sichuan Province, where 850 businesses from EU and China will have match-making business meetings. For more information, please contact Min He on Tel: 0116 258 7312.
Export Awareness Roadshow, Coalville
November 23rd 2006
You're invited to attend this breakfast roadshow in Coalville, if you’re thinking of exporting or you'e already an experienced exporter and would like to learn more about the various services and financial support available from UK Trade & Investment. To book a place please call 0845 634 0600 or email: uktradeinvest@emd.org.uk
Market Visit to Denmark (Creative Industries)
January 31st– 3rd February 2007
This is a great opportunity for product designers, designing high-quality interior products with the capacity for medium to high volume production essential in exporting to this sophisticated market. UK Trade & Investment are inviting designer makers to spend 3 days in the market, networking with key contacts and meeting potential buyers. If you are interested please contact Christine Johnson Tel: 0116 258 7357 or email: cjohnson.ukti@blleics.co.uk
Market Visit to the Republic of Ireland
February 26-28th 2007
Fashionwear companies are invited to spend three days getting to know the market, networking with key contacts and meeting potential buyers. For further details please contact Suzy Bolton, UK Trade & Investment on Tel: 0116 258 7314 or email: sbolton.ukti@blleics.co.uk